29 November 2010,
The Occupation of Old Schools Senior Combination Room, University of Cambridge:
We, the Cambridge Occupation, are appalled that University management have pursued the legal means necessary to remove us from the Old Schools building without engaging us in negotiations. Additionally, the decision to turn off the wireless internet which services the Old Schools site reveals that University management has adopted a negative attitude towards facilitating open lines of communication between University management and the Cambridge Occupiers. We urge the University management to break their silence and arrange an opportunity for formal dialogue with us immediately.
We reiterate our list of demands to the University management, as follows:
We, the Cambridge occupation, following a collective and democratic process, make these demands of University of Cambridge management:
1. That the University completely oppose the increase in fees, fight against it and fight against all cuts to education, and use its influence to oppose the spending review’s threat to education, welfare, health, and other public services.
2. That the University use its influence to fight for free education for all.
3. That the University acknowledge and take steps to combat the systemic inequality of access to this elitist institution and the danger of its intensification posed by the scrapping of EMA, a rise in tuition fees and removal of programs such as Aim Higher.
4. That the University declare it will never privatise.
5. That the University commit to ensure the autonomy of education from corporate interests.
6. That the University recognise UCU (University & College Union). We urge post-graduates, academics and all university staff to unionise.
7. That the University ensure that no students who take part in any form of peaceful protest will face disciplinary action.
We would remind the University that along with our own clear requests, over two hundred academics have called for the University management to enter into formal negotiations with us. Again, we call for University management to arrange an opportunity for formal dialogue with us as soon as possible before committing to any action disproportionate to the peaceful status of the current situation.
